Punjab woman constable's arrest in drug case 'tip of iceberg', independent probe needed: Warring

This case was a “slap” on the Punjab government’s anti-drug campaign, he said.

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday sought an independent probe into the arrest of a woman constable with drugs, asserting that it is just the “tip of an iceberg.” Constable Amandeep Kaur was arrested following the recovery of 17.71 grams of heroin from her in Bathinda on Wednesday. She was later dismissed from service.

“How one of the Punjab Police’s own constables had been involved in drug trade and was nabbed with heroin,” Warring asked. “This is just the tip of the iceberg and the matter needs an independent and credible probe,” he said, while suggesting that the Punjab Police cannot do justice in this matter for obvious reasons.

The constable’s case was just an example of what has gone wrong with Punjab under the AAP government, he alleged. This case was a “slap” on the Punjab government’s anti-drug campaign, he said.

Warring further alleged that while there is an “atmosphere of fear with gangsters ruling the roost,” the common man was “suffering” as his voice was not being heard. “Every section of the society, be it farmers, labourers, employees or teachers, is unhappy,” he said.

He also claimed that Punjab had gone back by 25 years as the AAP had “derailed” the state’s economy and amassed a huge debt burden. “The debt accumulated and multiplied by the AAP government will have to be paid by the people of Punjab,” he said.

The Ludhiana MP was addressing workers’ meetings as part of the party’s campaign, “Judde ga Block, Jeete gee Congress”, in Dakha and Raikot assembly segments in Ludhiana. The Punjab Congress president exhorted the party workers, particularly the district and block presidents, saying they had the most crucial responsibility at the grassroots level.

He alleged that ruling parties had started manipulating the voter lists, citing the example of Maharashtra, where about 50 lakh new voters were allegedly added within a few months. He warned district, block, and mandal presidents to remain alert against such manipulations, saying it would defeat the very purpose of elections.

Warring expressed special gratitude to Dakha Halqa in-charge and PCC general secretary (organisation) Sandeep Sandhu, saying that without his phenomenal performance during the parliamentary elections, he would not have been able to win.

In Raikot, Warring praised MP Dr Amar Singh and the ‘halka in-charge’ Kamil Singh for their work for the people.

Speaking on the occasion, the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa urged the judiciary to take suo motu notice of the constable’s case. He called for a probe by the National Investigation Agency, saying Punjab Police cannot be trusted since its own official was involved. Bajwa claimed that many powerful and influential people were linked to the case, which is why an independent agency should investigate the matter.